CarePartners Adult Day Services improves care

Published: Friday, April 26, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 7:26 p.m.

FLAT ROCK — Alyson Johnson-Sawyer walked through the halls of CarePartners Adult Day Services, pointing out small changes that have been made.

CarePartners and Pardee Hospital agreed last fall to collaborate on providing adult day health services to seniors in Henderson County. On Jan. 14, the former Pardee Pavilion at 114 College Drive in Flat Rock reopened as Adult Day Services. The transition took place over a weekend so that the strain on caregivers and participants was minimal.

The facility is used by senior citizens who spend the day participating in activities and receiving health care, giving their caretakers some respite.

Since reopening the facility, minor tweaks have given it more of an activity center type of atmosphere. Seniors can socialize and explore the many options available to them.

And there are plenty of options. If a participant doesn’t want to do the day’s baking activity, for instance, they can play shuffleboard in the activity room.

In the living room area, CarePartners added a fireplace and changed the furniture. The bathrooms also got a makeover. The walls are covered with photographs of scenery around Henderson County. It looks less like a medical facility and more like activity center.

Participants at the facility get physical and mental exercise multiple times in a day, spend time outdoors, and experience music, pet therapy, baking, games and field trips. CarePartners has offered a more restaurant approach to dining, including the use of a grill and an outside eating area.

Currently the facility is certified for 50 participants, but is a little ways from that number.

“We have a lot of room to grow,” Johnson-Sawyer said.

For more information about CarePartners Adult Day Services, visit www.carepartners.org/ or call 828-277-4800.

<p>FLAT ROCK — Alyson Johnson-Sawyer walked through the halls of CarePartners Adult Day Services, pointing out small changes that have been made.</p><p>CarePartners and Pardee Hospital agreed last fall to collaborate on providing adult day health services to seniors in Henderson County. On Jan. 14, the former Pardee Pavilion at 114 College Drive in Flat Rock reopened as Adult Day Services. The transition took place over a weekend so that the strain on caregivers and participants was minimal. </p><p>The facility is used by senior citizens who spend the day participating in activities and receiving health care, giving their caretakers some respite. </p><p>Since reopening the facility, minor tweaks have given it more of an activity center type of atmosphere. Seniors can socialize and explore the many options available to them.</p><p>And there are plenty of options. If a participant doesn't want to do the day's baking activity, for instance, they can play shuffleboard in the activity room. </p><p>“We offer a person-centered approach to adult day services,” Johnson-Sawyer said. </p><p>In the living room area, CarePartners added a fireplace and changed the furniture. The bathrooms also got a makeover. The walls are covered with photographs of scenery around Henderson County. It looks less like a medical facility and more like activity center. </p><p>Participants at the facility get physical and mental exercise multiple times in a day, spend time outdoors, and experience music, pet therapy, baking, games and field trips. CarePartners has offered a more restaurant approach to dining, including the use of a grill and an outside eating area.</p><p>Currently the facility is certified for 50 participants, but is a little ways from that number. </p><p>“We have a lot of room to grow,” Johnson-Sawyer said. </p><p>For more information about CarePartners Adult Day Services, visit www.carepartners.org/ or call 828-277-4800.</p><p>Reach Millwood at 828-694-7881 or at joey.millwood@blueridgenow.com.</p>